Wednesday, 23 October 2013

After a short break we're back with our monthly giveaways and for October we have a special guest - Teressa from Simply Soutache! Teressa is very kindly giving away two of her soutache kits - Simply Spicy and Simply Cool - worth $27.50 to one lucky winner. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning these beautiful kits is to comment on this post. The winner will be drawn at random after 6pm on Wednesday the 30th of October. Giveaway is open to entrants worldwide.

Saturday, 12 October 2013

Here's a little treat for you (as opposed to a trick!) to go along with our October challenge - a fun Jack 'o' Lantern Peyote Cuff Pattern designed especially for OTTBS in this month's challenge colours! As well as a cuff, the pumpkin motifs would also work well on their own as earrings. While there is a bead legend and amounts needed on the pattern, I haven't included exact shades so that you may choose your own.

Monday, 7 October 2013

Each month, as part of our regular feature Bead, Book & Bounce, we choose one of the most popular beading and jewellery making books and challenge our readers to make something inspired by the techniques or projects covered within it's pages. (We've recently made a few changes to the way that Bead, Book & Bounce will work, so please be sure to check out the new details on our new dedicated Bead, Book & Bounce Page.)

This month, we've chosen to work with Melissa Grakowsky's, I Can Herringbone. The book contains twenty-six projects, from beginner level to advanced, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants - and covers flat, circular and tubular forms of herringbone! There's a little something in there for everyone!

"Steps and concepts are broken down but not to the point that someone with some beading experience would get bored." - Tammy Powley, About.Com

Reviews -

Speedie Beadie has written a wonderful review, I (Really) Can Herringbone, and has shared several projects from the book. I only wish that we could transport all of our readers to The Gulf Of Mexico for the month, so that we could all experience the book in the same way! There is also a fantastic overview of the book at Bella Online.

Free Projects -

Lark Craft's have released two free projects from the book - Braided Bracelet and Athena Necklace - so, if the book isn't already on your bookshelf, you can still join in with this month's Bead, Book & Bounce.

More From Melissa Grakowsky -

You might like to visit Melissa's website MGS Designs to see more of her beautiful work. The website includes a Gallery, Blog and Pattern Store.

We'll be back on the 6th December to reveal the projects made from, or inspired by, I Can Herringbone during the month! I do hope that you'll be able to join in! x

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Welcome to the October challenge! This month we have a slightly trickier challenge with colours that you may not use very often. Combining traditional Halloween colours with stormy skies, sunny days and beautiful sunsets, we'd like you to create something in Black, Orange, Gold and Grey.

Please use all four colours in your entry. You can use multiple shades of each colour if desired. Beads with AB/rainbow or Picasso finishes are allowed but due to the fabulous prizes on offer each month we’re pretty strict on the colours allowed, so no colours other than those specified please! To clarify the use of gold - this can be metallic, gold or or golden-yellow coloured. *If you are using a cabochon or other focal bead in your design it can have small amounts of other colours in it, provided that the main colours of it fit our challenge. But the beads you use with it must be in our challenge colours only.

Now here's the twist...we'd like you to include some PEYOTE STITCH in your entry. The twist is entirely optional but if you choose to use the twist as well as the colour scheme then you will receive two entries into the draw! For those who have never done peyote, there's a fab tutorial right here on the blog.

Choose whichever way is easiest for you, you don't have to do both. In either case, please mention that it's for the October Challenge so we know that it's your entry. We're happy for you to post your photos on our Facebook group as well but please make sure that you've also submitted as above. Entries that have not been emailed or added to the Flickr pool will not be accepted.

What can I make?

Anything as long as it involves beads! Any technique is accepted, from beadweaving and stringing to wire work and bead embroidery. Lampworkers and polymer clay artists are also welcome to submit beads they've made. I'm sorry but any entries that do not include beads in some form or another will not be accepted. Your entry must be made especially for the challenge, please do not submit something that was made before October 1st 2013.

Does it have to be my own design?

No. We're happy for you to make something using a pattern from a book, magazine or tutorial but if you do please let us know the designer's name so that we can give them credit.

What about findings?

Findings (clasps, earwires, metal spacer beads etc) are exempt from the colour challenge so you can use silver, gold or any other colour findings that fit in with your project.

When is the deadline for entries?

The deadline is 6pm (UK time) on Thursday the 31st of October.

Can I enter more than once?

You can make as many pieces as you like using the chosen colour way. All entries will be shown here on the blog but you will only be entered into the draw once (or twice if you've used the twist).

I'm not in the UK, can I still join in?

Yes of course! We welcome submissions from around the world so don't worry if you're not in the UK. Our sponsors have agreed to post prizes overseas so you can still enter and be eligible for the prize!

Any other questions?

If you have any questions about the challenge please feel free to email Liz at ottbs@live.com

The Prize

This month our sponsor is Beads and More by Yashma and Valentina's offering one lucky winner their choice of £25 worth of goodies from her shop!

The winner will be drawn by Liz after 6pm on Thursday the 31st of October using the random list generator at www.random.org and announced later on the same evening.